Rational Group plots Spanish casino launch
Full Tilt rumoured to make debut in regulated Spanish market as Rational obtains casino licence
PokerStars owner Rational Group is preparing to launch casino games for the first time in Spain with a Spanish debut for the Full Tilt brand believed to be on the cards.
Rational, which recently agreed to a $4.9bn takeover deal with Amaya Gaming, launched its first casino products earlier this year in the UK and selected markets through its Full Tilt brand.
And the firm is now planning to extend its casino operations into Spain with Rational obtaining a temporary licence from the Spanish regulator late last week.
“The Rational Group has applied for the relevant licenses required to offer casino games in Spain,” a Rational spokesman confirmed to eGaming Review.
“Offering these games meets the consumer demand and competitive realities of each market and will allow Spanish players to enjoy the thrill and excitement of casino games, with the fairness, trust, integrity and world-class customer support that they expect from us,” the spokesman added.
But the firm would not be drawn on which brand would be using the licence, adding it would “provide additional details in the future”.
Amaya, which is set to acquire the poker group in September, has previously said it planned to launch casino and sports betting products with Rational brands.
PokerStars is the only Rational brand currently operating in the Spanish market, and a casino launch from the poker-only brand would be an unprecedented move.
However, eGR understands Rational’s Spanish licence permits it to launch additional brands in Spain and the firm is likely to use the Full Tilt brand for a gaming launch.
The Full Tilt brand is not currently active in Spain, but the URL www.fulltilt.es displays a Coming Soon logo with the tab displaying FTP Coming Soon.
Rational declined to comment further.